The reduction of hazardous fuels is a significant preventative management tool for managing wildfire near structures and communities. These projects are done to protect life and property and enhance the safety of firefighters and their ability to manage fire within the park. As seen with the Fern Lake Fire, previous reduction of hazardous fuels aided firefighters in stopping the fire within the park when it made its more than 3 mile run on the morning of Dec. 1, 2012.
Hazardous fuels reduction projects take place in strategic locations within Rocky Mountain National Park. The most recent project will take place along Rocky Mountain National Park's boundary adjacent to Allenspark. Work will include removing dead trees, the lower limbs of remaining trees, ladder fuels, and dead and down logs. Resulting woody materials will be piled on site and burned during winter when conditions allow.
Fuels reduction projects cannot be a stand-alone defense against wildfire. It is advisable that additional fuels reduction be completed on private property to meet Firewise standards. Visit Firewise.org or call your local forester for more details.
For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park please call the park's Information Office at (970) 586-1206.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
